McGee’s biggest concern: Securing snap

IRVING – When Cowboys third-string quarterback Stephen McGee trotted onto the field at University of Phoenix Stadium, his biggest concern was securing the snap from center Andre Gurode after taking so many from backup Phil Costa while running the scout team offense.

“It wasn’t really the nerves of the situation, the defensive looks or the play or calling it or running it. It was just getting the snap. That was my biggest concern,” McGee said. “There is no play without the snap. I didn’t want the ball on the ground because that would be the worst thing that could happen on any play.

“When it went smooth, I was like, ‘All right. Good.’ ”

Dallas interim coach Garrett was reserved in his praise of McGee after the game, but the coach sang a different tune after studying video of the performance.

“Stephen McGee played very well,” Garrett said. “From personal experience, I know how hard it is to go into your first NFL game as a quarterback and take snaps, and simply call a play, get to the line of scrimmage, take a snap and hand the ball off. It’s a new experience, particularly on the road, coming into a game when you’re behind by 11 points. And he handled that whole process very well.”

Garrett said he could especially relate to McGee’s concerns about fumbling a snap.

“It sounds simple but when you havent taken snaps in a NFL game just the logistics of getting the play from the coach calling the play, getting to the line of scrimmage and getting the snap and in his case, handing the ball off a little bit early on, those are important things,” Garrett said. “You see a lot of snaps go on the ground when a new quarterback goes in or when a new center goes in so you got to make sure you handle those things and he did a good job with that.”